Sanitizing and dampening container

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for sanitizing or dampening objects comprising a container having a bottom, a top portion, a front wall, a back wall, and at least one side wall, the side walls extend upwardly from the bottom. Springs are extended downwardly from the side walls or from the front wall and back wall. A grid platform is attached to the springs. The platform is adapted to support the object to be sanitized or dampened. In an alternate embodiment, the container includes a lid structure to be placed inside of the container. The lid structure comprises a top lid portion and side lid portions. The springs are attached and extended downwardly from the top lid portion by the top ends of the spring and the bottom ends of the springs are attached to the grid platform so that the platform is suspended from the lid structure. The object is inserted through the opening on the top lid portion onto the grid platform. The object supported by the grid platform can be lowered into a fluid substance contained in the container by exerting pressure onto the platform.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a container for dampening and sanitizing objects often contaminated in the kitchen, such as a sponge. The container can support the object while not in use, and when necessary, dampen the object with a sanitizing fluid substance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Objects used to clean surfaces and dishware in the home, such as sponges or dish rags, are often the source of bacteria in the kitchen and around the house. These sponges or dish rags are not properly cleaned or sanitized often by the users. They can cause contamination on the surfaces in contact with them and even the users hands handling the sponges or dish rags. Sponges or dish rags are typically left on the sink or counter to dry. However, this drying method tends to leave waste on the sponges or dish rags that cause harmful bacteria and molds to form.

Although conventional methods of handling a sponge are effective, they do not address or solve the difficulties associated drying and sanitizing sponges. Various sponge sanitizers are currently in use, but they do not provide a container that can house sponges of various sizes while not in use and allow them to dry on a sterile surface. Also, these methods do not provide a container with a suspended platform that moistens and sanitize the sponges with a sanitizing fluid to aid in prevention the formation of harmful bacteria and mold.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive yet decorative apparatus to sanitize or moisten contaminated household cleaning objects of various shapes and sizes such as a sponge or dish rag.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus where the user can control the amount of fluid substance added to the object such as a sponge or dish rag based on the amount of pressure exerted on the platform.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus with a suspended and interchangeable platform adapted to support the object to be moistened or sanitized when in use and also support the object when drying on the platform.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus with a lid structure that provides easy access to the object on the platform.

The present invention discloses an apparatus for sanitizing or dampening an object such as a sponge. In particular, the apparatus comprises a suspended platform that supports the sponge. It will be clear from the description below that many other shapes of the apparatus could also be adopted based on the size and design of the object to be cleaned. The apparatus preferably uses two to six springs, however, additional springs could be added to further support the platform. The apparatus is preferably manufactured out of a stainless steel, metal, ceramic, glass or plastic material. However, the apparatus material can be made from the same materials and have the same design prints as other household items such as soap dishes or appliances so that the apparatus can coordinate with other items in its surrounding area. Lastly, the fluid substance contained in the container can be disinfecting or cleaning solution known in the art such as a combination of soap and water or a bleach or ammonia based solution.

In one preferred embodiment, a rectangular container having a bottom, a top portion, a front wall, a back wall, and at least one side wall that extends upwardly from the bottom is described. Springs extend downwardly from the side walls or the front wall and back wall. A grid platform is secured to the springs. The container also has a lid used to aid in preventing dust and debris from entering the container. The lid is sized to act as a cover for the top portion of the container and sized to act as a support for the bottom of the container. An opening is centered on the lid to allow the user to place the object to be cleaned through the opening. Also, the users hands can fit into the opening onto the object to lower the object into the sanitizing fluid substance.

In another preferred embodiment, a rectangular container having a bottom, a top portion, a front wall, a back wall, and at least one side wall that extends upwardly from the bottom is described with a lid having a top lid portion and side lid portions. Springs extend downwardly from the top lid portion by one end of the springs. The platform is secured to the opposite end of the ends such that it is suspended from the lid. The springs are secured along the underside of the top lid such that the lid can be placed onto the container without any interference by the springs and the attached platform. The springs are secured along a perimeter of the lid a distance less than the inner perimeter of the container such that the springs and connected platform can fit inside of the container. An opening is centered on the lid to allow the user to place the object to be cleaned through the opening. Also, the users hands can fit into the opening onto the object to lower the object into the sanitizing fluid substance.

The springs are preferably soldered to the walls or top lid structure and the grid platform. However, an alternate hook and eye attachment method can be used to secure the springs to the apparatus. The eyes are attached to the underside of the top lid in locations that provide no interference with the lid closing. The eyes are placed along a perimeter of the lid a distance less than the inner perimeter of the container such that the springs can hook to the eyes on one end and the springs can connect to the platform on the alternate end. This hook and eye attachment aids in ensuring the springs are securely attached to the lid structure. The springs can be soldered to the grid platform on the opposite end or the eyes can be soldered onto the grid platform. In an embodiment where the eyes are soldered onto the grid platform, the springs are hooked to the eyes on the lid on one end and hooked onto the eyes of the grid platform on the opposite end. Similarly, this hook and eye attachment can be used to secure the springs to the front and back walls or the side walls. The eyes are displaced along the front and back wall in locations where the springs are to be attached. The eyes are displaced along the inside portion of the side walls in locations where the springs are to be attached to the side walls. One end of the spring is hooked into the eye and the opposite end is hooked onto the eye of the grid platform. Similarly, the springs can be soldered onto the grid platform on one end and hooked onto the eye of the walls on the opposite end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The operation, features and advantages of the present invention should be apparent and fully understood when the following description is read in light of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus for sanitizing and dampening objects with the springs attached to the left and right side walls.

FIG. 2 is an alternative apparatus with the springs extending from the front and back wall of the container.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the container with the lid structure removed from the container.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the container with the lid structure placed over the container.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the springs with hooks and the eye attachments on the platform and container.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 with the hook and eye attachment.

FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of FIG. 3 with additional springs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus 10 for sanitizing and dampening an object such as a sponge 15. A rectangular container 20 has a bottom 25, an open top portion 30, a front wall 35, a back wall 40 and left side wall 45 and a right side wall 50 extending upwardly from the bottom 25. Four springs 60, 61, 62 and 63 are soldered to the corners of the side walls 45, 50 in a location where the side walls 45, 50 and front wall 35 and back wall 40 meet. On the opposite end of the springs 60, 61, 62 and 63, a gridded platform 70 is soldered to the springs 60, 61, 62 and 63. The platform 70 suspends or hangs from the springs 60, 61, 62 and 63. The sponge 15 is placed onto the platform 70. Shown in a drying position in FIG. 1, the sponge 15 can be stored on the platform 70 while not in use or after dampening, the sponge 15 can be placed on the platform 70 to dry. The platform 70 is a rectangular shaped grid style object that allows water to dampen or moisten the object through the spaces on the grid.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the springs 64 and 65 can be soldered to the front wall 35 and back wall 40 on one end, respectively, and the springs 64 and 65 can be soldered to the platform 70 on the opposite ends. As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus 10 further comprises a lid 80. The lid 80 is sized to cover the top portion 30 of the container 20 when the apparatus 10 is not in use. Covering the apparatus 10 with the lid 80 will help to prevent dust and other contaminants or debris from entering the container 20. Furthermore, when the apparatus 10 is in use, the lid 80 can be placed underneath the bottom 25 of the container 20 to support the bottom of the container and for easy access to the lid 80. Keeping the lid 80 with the container 20 at all times will prevent its misplacement.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment featuring an apparatus 100 for sanitizing and dampening objects with a removable lid structure 200. A rectangular container 120 has a bottom 125, an open top portion 130, a front wall 135, a back wall 140 and left side wall 145 and a right side wall 150 extending upwardly from the bottom 125. The removable lid structure 200 is shown outside of the apparatus 100 for clarity. The lid structure 200 is a rectangular shaped structure. The lid structure 200 comprises a top lid portion 210 and a left side lid portion 212 and a right side lid portion 211 in the form of side walls. Springs 261, 262, 263 and 264 extend downwardly from the underside of the top lid portion 210. The springs 261, 262, 263 and 264 are soldered to the underside portion of the top lid portion 210 on one end and soldered to the four corners of the grid platform 270. The grid platform 270 is sized to support an object to be dampened such as a sponge or towel, not shown.

The top lid portion 210 is sized to cover the top portion 130 of the container 100 and the lid side portions 211 and 212 are sized such that the side lid portions 211, 212 extend over the left side wall 145 and right side wall 150 of the container 100. Thus, when the lid structure 200 is placed over the top portion 130 of the container 100, the platform 270 is prevented from being lowered too far into the container 100 such that the platform 270 remains out of the solution in the container until downward pressure is applied to platform 270.

The side lid portions 211, 212 and the front lid portion 213 and back lid portion 214 dimensions are slightly greater than the inner perimeter of the open portion 130 of the container 100. This allows the lid structure 200 to be supported by the walls 135, 140, 145, and 150 of the container 100. The springs 261, 262, 263 and 264 are positioned on the lid structure 200 such that the springs 261, 262, 263 and 264 do not interfere with the placing and removing of the lid structure 200 onto the container 100.

The lid structure 200 further comprises an opening 250 adapted to receive the object to be dampened or dried. By way of example only, the method of using the apparatus 100 will be described as shown in FIG. 3. The identical method is used when using the apparatus shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. The object is inserted through the opening 250 onto the platform 270. Downward pressure is then exerted onto the object until the platform 270 and object are in the solution. The more pressure is exerted onto the object and platform, the further the platform and object are moved downwardly into the solution. The container 100 may include suggested water level markers 180 around the inside walls 135, 140, 145 and 150 of the container 100. However, if more solution is desired than recommended by the water level marker, less pressure will be exerted onto the platform 270 and if less solution is desired, more pressure must be exerted onto the object and platform 270. Being able to easily remove the lid structure 200 will provide easy access to the springs 261, 262, 263 and 264 and platform 270. Easy access to them will provide better cleaning of the container 100 and lid structure 200 while not in use.

The apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 is similar to the method of the alternative embodiment as described above regarding FIG. 3. The sponge or object that is desired to dampen or clean is placed onto the grid 70. The grid 70 is moved downward into the solution from the pressure of the user pressing down on the object or the grid 70. As the pressure is decreased, the grid 70 moves in an upward direction. The object can sit on the grid in this position to dry or the user can remove the object.

FIG. 4 shows the lid structure 200 and container 100 of FIG. 3 with the lid structure 200 placed onto the container 100. A cover 190 is shown underneath the container 100 while in use. The cover 190 is sized to cover the top portion 130 and to cover the lid structure 200 when the apparatus 100 is not in use and when there is not an object on the platform 270 drying. The cover 190 can be placed over the lid structure 200 to easily transport the container 100 and lid structure 200 as a unit with minimal movement of the solution and platform 270. FIG. 5 shows an alternative method of attaching the springs 60, 61, 62 and 63 to the side walls 45 and 50. The springs may be extension springs made with hooks on both ends. Each spring is of the constant diameter type and can have a variety of hook styles. The container 10 may include four eye structures 300, 305, 310, 315 secured to the top corners 302, 304, 306, 308 of the container 10 where the side walls 45 and 50 meet the front and back walls, 35, 40. The eye structures 300, 305, 310 and 315 are openings soldered to the container walls and are sized to receive the top hooks 400 at one end of the springs 60, 61, 62 and 63. The platform 70 can have four eye structures 410, 415, 420, and 425 at each corner of the platform 70. The bottom hooks 405 are inserted into the eye structures 410, 415, 420 and 425 on the platform 70 for a secure connection. This hook and eye attachment allows for easy replacement and cleaning of the springs and the platform after use. This attachment mechanism can be substituted for the soldering of the springs onto the container or lid structure.

Similarly, the hook and eye attachment can be used in the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 6 shows the eye attachment structures 500, 505, 510 and 515 extending downward from the underside of the lid structure 200. The attachment structures are soldered to the underside of the lid structure 200. The top hooks 600 at the top end of the springs 261, 262, 263 and 264 are inserted into the eye attachment structures, 500, 505, 510, 515. The bottom hooks 605 are inserted into the eye attachment structures 610, 620, 630 and 640 on the platform 270.

FIG. 7 demonstrates the apparatus of FIG. 3 shown with 2 additional centered springs, 265 and 266. The additional springs 265 and 266 are centered on the platform 270 and provide extra support of the platform 270 and further allows upward and downward movement of the platform 270.

It will be understood that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus for sanitizing or dampening objects comprising: a container having a bottom, a top portion, a front wall, a back wall, and at least one side wall, said at least one side wall extends upwardly from the bottom; at least one spring extending downwardly from the at least one side wall or the front wall and back wall; and a platform secured to the at least one spring, said platform is adapted to support the object.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a lid.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one spring further comprises a first spring and a second spring.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said at least one side wall further comprises a left side wall and a right side wall.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first spring is secured to the left side wall and the second spring is secured to the right side wall such that the platform is suspended between the first and second spring.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said lid is sized to cover the top portion of the container and sized to support the bottom of the container.
 7. An apparatus for sanitizing and dampening objects comprising: a container having a bottom, a top portion, a front wall, a back wall, and a left side wall and a right side wall, the left and right side walls extend upwardly from the bottom; a lid with a top lid portion and side lid portions; at least one spring extending downwardly from the lid; and a platform secured to the at least one spring, said platform is adapted to support the object.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said lid further comprises a first spring and a second spring attached to the lid such that the platform is suspended from the lid.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said lid top portion is sized to cover the top portion of the container and said lid side portions are sized such that the side lid portions extend over the left side wall and right side wall of the container.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lid further comprises an opening, said opening is adapted to receive said object.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first spring and the second springs are secured along a perimeter of the lid a distance less than the inner perimeter of the container such that the springs and connected platform can fit inside of the container.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said lid and the attached at least one spring and the secured platform are removable from the container as a single structure.
 13. An apparatus for sanitizing and dampening objects comprising: a container having a bottom, a top portion, a front wall, a back wall, and a right side wall and a left side wall, said right and left side walls extend upwardly from the bottom; a lid structure covering the top portion of the container, said lid structure comprising a top lid portion and side lid portions; an opening on the top lid portion; at least one spring extending downwardly from the top lid portion; and a platform secured to the at least one spring, said platform is adapted to support the object.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said container holds a fluid substance.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said platform is movable downward into said fluid substance. 